Brian's ADA 60P (Ver. 2.5) + Ecoxotic E-Series (Starts Pg 34)

I'm finally getting my ADA 60P Build underway.... exciting!

I'm trying to keep the build (for now) nice but semi-budget friendly with the potential for upgrades in the future. Also with the 'budget friendly' angle in mind, I want to experiment in trying something a little different than the norm. I'm going a little new-school and old-school mixed in with a little taboo in the world of "ADA" yada yada yada... I'm going to put on a black background and use black equipment to be stealthy, and at the same time, allowing things to "pop" more in color -- allowing my lighting choice to really shine! Colorful with contrast is what I'm going for. But in the living room as the "main tank," this is a welcomed addition -- no doubt.

Perhaps, later I will upgrade to the full-on glassware and all -- as with everything, it's subject to change and things evolve. With that said, here we go!

Here are the particulars:

Tank+Stand:

ADA 60-P (17g = 24in X 12in X 14in)

Ikea Besta

Lighting:

Current-USA Satellite LED+ (x2)

Current Single Ramp Timer (coming soon)

RGB LED mood lighting strip (behind the tank)

Filtration:

Fluval C2 HOB

SunSun 301 w/ surface skimmer (more on this later)

**Might upgrade to a Fluval 206 + Lily Pipes early next year (or earlier if I hate the HOB idea)**

Substrate:

Brian's "Special" Blend (more on this later)

Sand (possibly Caribsea supernaturals 'white' sand)

Hardscape:

ADA-style DW (not sure what it is... I'll post pics)

Yamaya Stone

Seiryu Stone

Plants: (subject to change)

Collectoritis Style for now! TBD

Fauna:

TBD

CO2 / Ferts:

PPS-Pro "dry ferts" from GLA

Aquatek Paintball Setup

Glut (occasional)

Okay... got that out of the way! Here are some pics and some more text!

With the RGB mood lighting strips I removed from my 12g. Wasn't sure what else to do with them so I put them behind the tank for fun. Notice how my HOB's almost disappear with the black background? Well, at least for me it does!

So I have these Do!Aqua pipes on hand, and I was really tempting myself with a Fluval 206 purchase. But then I remembered I have a Fluval C2 being unused in my closet so I decided to save some money and go with the C2. I'll just keep the glassware on hoarding status for a later time.

And the lighting! Current-USA Satellite LED+ fixtures (X2). I should be getting around 72+ PAR with these at the 12" distance from light to sub. Let's see what I can grow (hopefully not just algae):

[B]Version 2 Update: Due to unfortunate circumstances, the 1st scape pictured above had to come to a premature abrupt end. Version 2 'rescape' turned out like this.. latest picture before the tank 'tanked' (again). Version 2.5 in progress as of 6/25/14.

I really wanted to go with the lily pipes and canister filter, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for lily pipes being functional in removing the protein layer that is very distracting in a topless rimless build. HOB's aren't that good at dealing with it when the water level is kept high close to the top of the tank. Which is usually the desirable thing to do in a rimless tank.

So I researched some protein skimmer ideas... and stumbled across the SunSun 301. If it works out to plan, I'll have extra filtration plus (the main purpose) surface skimming.

With it being black and all, it will sit nice and semi-stealthy next to my C2 dealing with the dastardly oil slick (aka: protein layer).

So... I ordered it and tested out the surface skimmer attachment in a glass of water. It apparently adjusts automatically to the water level based on buoyancy. Pretty neat and inexpensive solution (if it works!).

So here's that DW (not sure what species it is exactly) I kept around from my old halfmoon dwarf puffer tank. I got it at Nature Aquarium in Santa Monica... and I'm sure it came from AFA in SF as I know the owner of NA makes his orders through them -- especially ADA stuff.

Needless to say, this is a very interesting piece of DW and I'm excited to use it again.

I see they came out with new colours for the doors. I like the look you have with the HOB and the Current lights, very clean and professional looking.

Ops, didn't see the drawing.

Edit: The corner where the ADA sticker has a weird silicone look, can you take a closer pic?

Yeah I already noticed imperfections in the silicone work. I'm a little disappointed but not overly critical... I read the reviews out there how quality has dropped since they started getting them built in China.

This should be very cool. I like that surface skimmer. I use the Fluval skimmer with my Eheim and can't see myself setting up a rimless without one now. It's made to fit Aquaclears as well so maybe would work with your C2?
I'd looked into the Besta stand for use with my Mr Aqua "60-p" but none of the doors really worked for me in our living room. That grey is fantastic, though!

Question on the Besta - I don't see that door listed with the cabinet. Is it a separate item you purchased?

Yeah I already noticed imperfections in the silicone work. I'm a little disappointed but not overly critical... I read the reviews out there how quality has dropped since they started getting them built in China.

Is there something you see that I should be worried about?

Nothing to worry about, it's fine. The silicone job on mine is all that great either.

I seen picture of the old ADA tanks and they look perfect, it's as if there no silicone at all.

Nothing to worry about, it's fine. The silicone job on mine is all that great either.

I seen picture of the old ADA tanks and they look perfect, it's as if there no silicone at all.

Thanks for the reassurance and picture. I was hoping for ADA perfection but I didn't have high hopes, after reading about these issues prior... so I'm cool with it as long as it doesn't leak or anything.

Great start! You've clearly put a lot of thought into your layout. I'll be following this for sure.

Also, I like that Ikea stand a LOT! When you get a chance, I'd love to see a pic of the inside of it.

Thank you! I've been a big fan of your work, following along your build. You certainly know your way around ingenuity and fabrication... you made the Ray 2 mod look clean & functional. Your scape is breathtaking too.

Anyway... here's an inside shot of the stand. I'd like to get more organized and tidy with the power strip and wires. I might work on that later.

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